Back in the late 80s I lived a rather feral existence as a busking, itinerant astrologer (of sorts), and I hung with the hippies, bad companies, clattered haphazardly about the long, dusty summers and tried not to get too embroiled in life. They were the good old, bad old days. Unsurprisingly, in those days, I didn’t have much sympathy for the British Conservative Party in spite of its very illustrious origins, it being the oldest political party in the world, and boasting several luminaries in its historical membership, including its founder Robert Peel (who invented the police), and Winston Churchill, a man of many admirable qualities, but whom I like best for the fact that he would have an afternoon nap every day, in his pyjamas. Truth be told, I still don’t have much sympathy for the Tory way, but times have changed.

The low point for the Conservatives though has to be that collection of scoundrels, hypocrites, criminals, oppressors and narcissists that formulated the bulk of the party’s front bench under Margaret Thatcher, arch Sun-Pluto destroyer of the working class and nemesis of all things meaningful and spiritual. I say this in a considered tone, because in contemplation of the Sun-Pluto archetype, the understanding remains that while you might be vociferously opposed to nuclear weapons you can still appreciate, with a measure of reverence and awe, their sheer destructive power; their apocalyptic, majestic, naked, irresistible force.

Unfortunately, Mrs Thatch became a poster child for some fairly unpleasant metamorphoses; like the reinvention of avarice. Suddenly, by having a non-materialistic viewpoint you became – almost overnight – a loser. The disciples of Thatcherism weren’t greedy, selfish, exploitative and base of course; they were pragmatic, right-thinking, clear-sighted winners.

Of course it was a manifesto tailored to perfection for an extremely narrow astrological phenomenon and it changed this country irrevocably. Ironically, but not remotely coincidentally, the star pupil of the Tao of Me was among the front ranks, sans brown shirt perhaps, but pronouncing the doctrines with all the fervour of a newly installed town-crier. Edwina Currie, born within weeks of the Saturn – Pluto conjunction in Leo is the most remarkable astrological specimen; rare only in the extremity of her conditioning, but for that reason, remarkable nonetheless.

I don’t want to wax too long and lyrical about this nativity, but here are a few intriguing pointers:

Saturn conjunct Pluto rises in Leo, just look at that picture at the top, isn’t she just too scarily perfect? Pluto supercharges Saturn’s drive for status (Saturn rules Capricorn, it’s ambitious, it wants to be respected, it demands respect, God help you.) Leo needs to be royal, nothing common-or-garden here thank you very much: Saturn-Pluto rising has to be the most respected in all the land, everybody is inferior.

If you are still unconvinced, read her self-penned bio. She has rubbed shoulders with the Beatles, US Presidents and a plethora of Nobel Laureates; it raises name-dropping to something approaching an art-form. And look how she’s the most successful person that ever lived! Remarkable, but that, of course is the point.

The closest aspect in the nativity and ruler of the Midheaven – therefore the big career driver – is Mars square Pluto. Here’s a woman that’s no respecter of men’s personal space, she gets in close, engages in inappropriate intimacy with them and therein lies the source of her power and impetus to control. With this aspect ruling the Midheaven though, there’s no question who Ms. Currie works for: Number One! I told you she was top of the Thatcherite class.

And that Saturn – Pluto conjunction is squared by a stellium of Mercury, Mars and Jupiter, all in the 4th house: here’s some unfinished business in the early family home all right, women weren’t valued, that’s her recollection no doubt, Mercury and Jupiter rule intercepted signs, that energy is lost in the 5th and 11th, giving and receiving love and attention was for the menfolk only, mother wasn’t valued (Moon opposed by Venus, 5th to 11th) and the Saturn – Pluto conjunction manifests the 5th (love me!) and the 6th (all day, every day!)

Intriguingly, the closest aspect of all is a quincunx between Astraea (on the cusp of the 5th) and Hygeia (conjunct Hades) in Aries and the 10th. Here’s an intimation of a slow decline in health, a health issue that one doesn’t ever properly recover from, it leads to a deterioration, it has its basis in the past, a genetic condition perhaps.

Saturn-Pluto is also conjunct Urania, and this is extremely important in the context of the Uranus-Vulcanus conjunction in Gemini. She really does have a brilliant mind, a genius for structure. It’s interesting generationally though because the conjunction of Uranus (individuation) with Vulcanus (invisible force or drive) in Gemini, suggests a real impetus toward being considered to be delightfully, intriguingly brilliant, cerebral, mentally switched on, versatile and adaptable. It is, in context with the Saturn – Pluto and Urania the hallmark of the cerebral competitor, one who is special (Uranus) for being a super-achiever (Saturn-Pluto) in many fields (Gemini).

And finally, to Orcus. I have a big article on Orcus coming up (when I have five minutes) but suffice to say, Orcus creates serious consequences for those who break solemn oaths. Bill Clinton (whom Edwina met at University) also has Uranus conjunct Orcus (sudden retribution for breaking promises), it’s an aspect that hunts you down, but unexpectedly, the fall from grace can be swift and spectacular (especially with Vulcanus configured). This is exactly what happened to Edwina when she uttered her ill-fated remark about salmonella and eggs, it ended her career as a politician (and the same effect was evidenced with Bill Clinton of course). They were both hounded out of office.

So much more to say, so little time. I have nothing personally against Mrs Currie, of course, but her astrology is fascinating. It must be tough being her, exhausting, and I wish her every success, which of course is the lynchpin of her existence. As ever though, with Saturn – Pluto in Leo, and the group born in 1946 have it worst: having a terminator ego might be great in terms of worldly success, but the ordinary mortals who have to share their lives are usually left broken by it.

Why do we keep using adulterers and liars like Bill Clinton when were are researching our astrology? Can’t we find decent people, individuals who don’t lie bare faced to the American public, to his wife, to God? Are we so strapped for cases we have to stoop to this man so often? As for being ‘popular,’ so is heroin and ‘P,’ but I don’t recommend it.

peter i certainly agree wth your comment…but i believe the absolute worst thing he did is take advantage of a girl barely out of her teens (lewinsky) that ‘relationship’ huge age difference and the ridicule lewinsky received in the aftermath made me wonder about the sanity of the american public for keeping him on after the whole debacle became public.

I don’t think that intercepted houses are as debilitating as intercepted signs, in general the ruler of the two houses is lent extra import in the chart. So look at the ruler of the house that’s intercepted and the Node to glean clues about a) your soul direction in this life, b) your experience of community and c) pervasive maternal influences on your character and destiny.

I’m a Libra riser with the 1983 Pluto/Saturn Rx conjunct in the 1st house (though Saturn falls in Scorpio) This opposes Mars (instead of square), and I definitely related to characteristics you listed for this womans chart.
My Mars and Venus are conjunct in Pisces, 6th house. Yes, I’ve rubbed some elbows with VIP type men. I find Libra rising to be similar to Leo rising. Libra has a regal vibe too, but it’s understated, not so in your face. Libra risers don’t have to seek out being the center of the room, and demand it.
But… the room does come to us regardless of what we do to urge it on or not.
I also have the 1983 Jupiter/Uranus conjunction. I have a kite with the Pluto/Saturn involved. It’s at one corner of a grand water trine, then pisces moon in the 5th, and cancer north node at the top of the kite. The bottom of the kite is my south node conjunct Neptune.

"Jeremy Neal's masterwork about Orcus is a major contribution to the advancement of astrology. Facing the real significance of these newly-discovered trans-Neptunian bodies is not work for the faint-hearted. This is a courageous book that carries the reader into the heart of darkness. Fortunately, it also carries us out again! Neal faces painful subjects unflinchingly, and yet never loses sight of the higher ground. I enthusiastically welcome his voice to the conversation."